Thousands gathered in Ramallah on Monday May 14 to peacefully protest against the transfer of the US Embassy to Jerusalem. Protesters walked through Ramallah to Qalandia checkpoint. At the Qalandia checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, hundreds were met with Israeli Defense soldiers, resulting in clashes. The younger Palestinians threw stones at Israeli soldiers who responded with live ammunition, tear gas and rubber bullets.Clashes were reported across the West Bank and Gaza.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported over 60 Palestinians killed on May 14, including 7 children, and over 2500 injured. The Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) released a press statement condemning “the ongoing Israeli assault on civilians in Gaza and in the West Bank.”

Since the beginning of the protests in Gaza, on March 30 for Land Day and continuing to Nakba Day on May 15, Israel has repeatedly used lethal force against civilians and ignored calls from the United Nations (UN) for an end to using live lethal ammunition against protesters.

Tuesday May 15, marked the 70th year commemoration of the Nakba ('Catastrophe’) where more than 700 000 Palestinians were forced out of their home in 1948. Clashes occurred near Beit El, an illegal Israeli settlement north of Ramallah as well as Hebron and Bethlehem. Israeli soldiers used tear gas drones for the first time in the West Bank, after using them for the first time in Gaza last month during the peaceful protests.